The Orissan tells the story of Odisha through history, culture, and food
The Orissan is a new coffee-table book that explores the diverse culinary and cultural heritage of Odisha, India. Co-authored by Alka Jena and the father-daughter team of Sandip and Pallavi Das, the book covers everything from temple cuisine to tribal food traditions.
Why it matters
The book serves as a cultural archive, documenting regional traditions that are often overlooked in mainstream culinary literature.
Alka Jena describes The Orissan (published by Penguin Random House India) as a “conversation between two generations”. More than a conventional cookbook, this recently released coffee-table book celebrates Odisha’s rich gastronomic heritage by tracing traditions from temple kitchens, everyday families, and archival information.
“We are often reduced to a handful of dishes or to the Jagannath tradition, when there is such incredible diversity within the State, from tribal food and temple cuisine to coastal produce, traditional crafts, festivals, architecture and the everyday lives of people,” says Alka, deputy director, Planning, Planning & Convergence Department, Government of Odisha, who has co-authored the book with father-daughter duo Sandip and Pallavi Das.
Pallavi Das at a local market in Orissa | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
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